Hablamos de Cine ante las plataformas

Cinema is changing… but is it in danger or simply evolving? In this new installment of the "Let's Talk About..." debate series, organized by the Spanish Institute, cultural journalist César Coca speaks with director and academic Arancha Aguirre and film critic Jerónimo José Martín about one of the most crucial issues in contemporary audiovisual media: the future of cinema in the face of digital platforms. Platforms have multiplied the content offerings, internationalized films, and opened up opportunities for traditionally niche genres—such as documentaries and art-house cinema. However, they have also profoundly transformed the industry: they produce, distribute, determine narratives through algorithms, and change the way we experience stories. Is the collective experience of the movie theater being lost? Is cinema becoming an individual consumption? Do series compete with cinema or are they its natural evolution? Are algorithms replacing artistic criteria? During the dialogue, key issues are explored: • The gradual disappearance of movie theaters and the shared viewing experience • The international expansion of cinema thanks to streaming • The impact of algorithms on audiovisual creation • The difference between watching movies on the big screen or at home • The rise of television series and their relationship to cinematic language • Global access to previously inaccessible films • Digital production and the democratization of the means of creation • The tension between the cultural industry and the work of art The debate raises a fundamental idea: cinema has always survived technological revolutions—sound, television, home video—and streaming platforms may not signify its end, but rather a new chapter. At the same time, a cultural concern arises: the movie theater is not only a place of exhibition, but a social space where emotion is shared, discussed, and community is fostered. Can this dimension be maintained in the era of individual consumption? A profound, nuanced, and unsimplistic analysis of how stories, audiovisual production, and our way of seeing are changing. If you're interested in film, audiovisual culture, or understanding where contemporary narrative is headed, this discussion will provide you with essential insights.